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Pattern Review: Simplicity 3956
I am still trying to build in some tops that I can wear on a night out (see here) and decided to try Simplicity 3956. This is another item that I finished back before my trip to Canada and have only just gotten around to photographing it.

I have made this before years and years ago, but didn't return to the pattern as the fit needed some tweaking. However, I had been thinking that a TNT strap top was missing from my pattern stash so I decided to give this one another go. I cut view D but without the overskirt. I omitted the tie belt as I felt it was unnecessary and was treating this as a wearable muslin.

Previously when I made this, the bodice was too big and ended up gaping under the arms. To remedy this I cut a size 14 for most areas, but used a size 12 for the bodice back. I added 1" to the height of the front bodice for extra boob coverage.

I used a printed floral chiffon from purchased from the fabric stall on Market Row in Brixton Mar…

Pattern Review: Kwik Sew 3844
I literally cannot get enough of this tank top pattern. At the time of writing this blog post all the reviews for this on pattern review are mine!

I finished this tank around a month ago, but haven't had a chance to take some snaps. As you can see, I decided to change this version up a little. I tried this pattern out with a woven rather than a stretch fabric that the pattern calls for and it does mean that this is a tad snug around the bust. I also made this a V-neck style in the front as I felt that it sat too high on my neckline without the natural drape of jersey.

In addition I had to cut a fair bit off the bottom of this tank as the woven fabric didn't stretch across my hips. I really don't know how I didn't have the foresight to think of this when I was cutting it out. I pretty much always have to grade out a size or two to allow for my hips. It was a definite moment where I kicked myself for being such a dummy. However, I think tha…

Pattern Review: Vogue 1223
I do enjoy the opportunity of sewing a wedding guest dress. It's a great chance to sew something a little bit special and challenge myself to pick something out of my comfort zone. Two of my uni friends got tied the knot this weekend and I went with Vogue 1223.

This is a dress pattern where both the fabric and the pattern design steal the show equally. I love how the left hand bodice extends into the majority of the skirt. It's a really interesting design feature. I have to say that I spent a really long time popping in tailor tacks and basting darts - I got through a good half a season of CSI whilst sewing this dress.
Here is a close-up of the dress front. you can see a bit more clearly how the pleats extend all the way down the front of the bodice into the skirt.

The fabric is a polyester chiffon purchased from the fabric stall on Market Row in Brixton Market. It was an absolute steal at £2.20 per metre. I lined the dress with georgette from Simp…